Inkscape AI compatible EPS exporter

Edit: I moved the script to GitHub, go there for latest information and downloads.

This script converts an Inkscape SVG to Adobe Illustrator 7 compatible EPS. The generated EPS file uses custom Illustrator PS operators, and includes PostScript processes that stands in place of said operators when the file is not opened with Adobe Illustrator.

Warning

This script is not extensively tested. Since its dual nature, it is possible, that the result looks different in Illustrator than in other programs.

I wrote it to upload clipart to microstock sites: I’ve already uploaded a dozen images exported with this script and they were all accepted.

Installation

Download this file, and copy aieps_output.inx and aieps_output.py into the Inkscape extensions folder: If you are using Windows C:\Program Files\Inkscape\share\extensions If you are using Linux /usr/share/inkscape/extensions
– If you don’t have permission to write to system folders, copy it to the user extensions directory.

Reporting issues

66 Comments

Thank you for providing this. I have downloaded and will try this..I am always amazed at some of the art work that can be done with programs I can not afford. This Inkscape eps file will get me a step up on the ladder. I hope that you will let me ask some questions, if I have any problems.
Thank you again,
Debspoons

Yes, since 0.91 it was implemented (probably not yet fully) the SVG v2 gradient mesh specification. The 0.92 nightly builds support exporting to EPS, Illustrator seems to read these, but it behaves as in case of simple gradients exported by Inkscape in EPS. Adobe cheats. Last time I’ve checked, they were saving even in svg their code, so if somebody edits the svg in other tool, the Illustrator don’t parse that, it reads only what it put in the svg, his format, so the file appears unchanged.

Great great software!! I am trying to start a microstock career, so to speak. and this extension helps to make it possible.
All my exported .eps files are made with this extension, and they are accepted.

If I may point out some possible improvements.

I tested the extension with CorelDraw X7 and Microsoft Expression Design 4, got the same results

as long as no gradients are used it is ok, using gradients results in a file not opening or just coloring all the artboard

so for now i am not using gradient, but they are such a cool feature to use

hi. Thanks so much for this extension. I don’t have a Linux folder. I use windows 7. I tried creating a new folder (where Linux should be) but I can’t seem to unzip your files there. Should I be doing something different since I use Windows 7? thx
dee

OMG, I’m so happy I’ve found this, I was looking for a solution for so long!!! Thank you! I have one question though. I have a graphic in Inkscape at 1600x1600px size, artboard is the same size. When I open the eps file either in Illustrator CS6 or in Inkscape, the graphic’s and the artboard’s sizes are different, and none of them matches the original size. Also, they are a different size in Inkscape and Illustrator. Is there any setting in Inkscape that could prevent this? What am I missing? Thanks

I tried a couple of things and found out that the problem was that I created the graphics in Inkscape 0.92 before I tried to save the eps from 0.91. When I copied the elements into a fresh new 0.91 version file it worked. The artboard is the same size as the graphics. I couldn’t check in Inkscape though, because it opens all eps files as blank page (except that mentioned strange one – I couldn’t figure this one out yet, but this is a different story). In Illustrator everything is 80% size now, but I read somewhere, that it’s probably because of the 72 dpi / 90 dpi difference, that’s fine. Thanks again.

Dude, you don’t just walk around the internet and ask random people whether they are committing crime! Anyway, I do use legal Windows.
I tested the script with Inkscape 0.91, but it might work with other versions too.

That means you have an elliptical curve somewhere with zero size: I did not expect such thing. I was able to reproduce this bug by creating a circle, converting it to path and setting its width or height to zero (well, only almost zero because the line width is still counted).
If you find this element(s) and delete it/them, or increase its/their size, then you should be able to export.
I might create a bugfix for it, but don’t hold your breath.

Hi! I tried on the latest version of inkscape 0.92.2, when my vector exported, it scaled down to a small vector, smaller than document size, can you make it compatible to latest version of inkscape please? i dont know where to download inkscape 0.91 or older, the official site link is broken.

Yes, it is correct if your document unit is pt. For me it is mm, so it needs different numbers: I am working on a solution that handles any document unit, I need some more testing.

However, I had to keep the 0.8 for the docWidth and docHeight. Please check again, whether the document size remains correct if you keep those two 0.8. If not, than please send me an svg so that I can find out what is the difference between your file and mine.

Edit: I found this page that explains how units are handled in inkscape, and updated the script according to it.

Oh, I realized now, that the new zip file has a subdirectory: that is not needed, copy aieps_output.inx and aieps_output.py directly into the Inkscape extensions folder.
If that was not the problem, then pleas provide more information, because it works for me with version 0.92.2